Citroën's new three-cylinder engines for the C3 and DS3 are worthy additions

Citroën set to clear up

Work it hard and the distinctive three-cylinder note hits raucous proportions

BY 2020, all car makers will have to achieve a CO2 emissions figure of 95g/km – averaged out across their entire range.

So we are now seeing an increasing number of low-emission vehicles.

Different manufacturers are approaching this goal in different ways, but all are actively seeking ways of reducing emissions.

Some are introducing economical low-CO2 engines, others have hybrid and all-electric cars, and many – like Citroën – are doing all of the above.

The latest step in this process is a new three-cylinder engine family called PureTech, which will help the French manufacturers further reduce their overall C02 emissions from their average in 2012 of 123g/km.

The PureTech engines are produced with 1.0 and 1.2-litre capacities, with 68 or 82bhp respectively, although only the larger of the two engines is available to UK customers.

The C3 VTR+ 1.2 costs £13,640 on the road and is on sale now. In the DS3 range, the new VTi 82 engine is available in the DSign model with a manual gearbox and costs £12,850.

The new engines are designed to deliver excellent fuel economy – up to 65.7mpg – and low CO2 figures of 99 and 107g/km respectively.

These engines, more compact and lighter, produce less CO2 than their predecessors and are more efficient.

The 1.0-litre unit has twin overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, with variable timing to improve fuel consumption and refinement.

It creates 95Nm torque, promises 25-27 per cent better economy than its predecessor and is 2.3 seconds quicker from 0-62mph, yet still only produces 99g/km CO2 – 38g/km less than the engine it replaces.

The 1.2-litre VTi 82 has 118Nm of torque, a 0-62mph time of 12.3 seconds and produces 107g/km of CO2 – 35g/km less than its predecessor.

During the launch on the outskirts of Paris, we drove the 1.2-litre version of the new C3 on a short and busy test route on a good mix of roads.

Three-cylinder engines are never going to set the world on fire in performance terms, but the car is quick off the mark in traffic and cruises quietly at motorway speeds.

Use the gears and there is enough power there to make good progress. If you work it hard and rev it towards the top end of its range, the endearing three-cylinder note increases to raucous proportions.

The suspension and steering have also received attention, adding a firmer feel and more dynamism to the driving experience.

I thought the ride quality was good – it cushioned most of the bumps, yet retained responses from the steering, which weighted up in the bends.

Another noteworthy development comes in the attractive and popular DS4 model line, with 160bhp HDi versions now getting the option of a new six-speed auto gearbox.

Citroën have sold 55,000 DS4s so far, with a high proportion being high-spec models, so the smooth-shifting auto will add to the DS4’s appeal.

Citroën expect this model, with its 160bhp HDi engine and auto gearbox, to represent 40 per cent of DS4 sales.

The auto box is now available on two DS4 models, the DStyle costing £23,545, and the £24,545 DSport.

We drove the top-spec DSport version, with leather trimmed dash and optional 19in alloys. The company are also expanding their global reach, having recently launched the DS3 in China, the DS4 in Argentina and the DS5 in Brazil.

Currently, Citroën sell 33 per cent of their total volume outside Europe, but in the next few years the firm expect this to grow to 50 per cent.

There are also a lot more exciting developments on the way from Citroën, starting with a DS3 cabriolet, which will go on sale in the spring.